LED streetlights could save Hunter councils millions

[Taylorusa]

The LED light globes use less than half the average wattage of regular bulbs and it is expected installing them will save councils millions of dollars a year in electricity bills.

The state-owned electricity distributor Ausgrid owns and maintains 250,000 streetlights on behalf of 41 councils across Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter.

The Energy Minister Chris Hartcher says replacing them could eventually reduce the cost of running street lighting by about 70 per cent.

"That's an enormous reduction once the program is completed," he said.

"It will take some time to complete, there are 250,000 street lights to address.

"It will also ensure that council maintenance is considerably reduced as these lights will last 20 years, which is twice the lifespan of the existing ones."

Mr Hartcher says savings will eventually filter through to ratepayers.

"When each council goes every year to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal to actually get its future rate upgrades for the following year, it has to show all the cost factors.'

"One of the major cost factors is electricity, so one would hope that the reduced cost of electricity to councils over a period of time will reflect itself in the public's rate bills," he said.

[Taidef1972]

The LED light globes use less than half the average wattage of regular bulbs and it is expected installing them will save councils millions of dollars a year in electricity bills.

The state-owned electricity distributor Ausgrid owns and maintains 250,000 streetlights on behalf of 41 councils across Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter.

The Energy Minister Chris Hartcher says replacing them could eventually reduce the cost of running street lighting by about 70 per cent.

"That's an enormous reduction once the program is completed," he said.

"It will take some time to complete, there are 250,000 street lights to address.

"It will also ensure that council maintenance is considerably reduced as these lights will last 20 years, which is twice the lifespan of the existing ones."

Mr Hartcher says savings will eventually filter through to ratepayers.

"When each council goes every year to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal to actually get its future rate upgrades for the following year, it has to show all the cost factors.'

"One of the major cost factors is electricity, so one would hope that the reduced cost of electricity to councils over a period of time will reflect itself in the public's rate bills," he said.

Yeah i totally agree with your points about LED streetlights.